Inspired by the true story of the greatest security breach in US history.
When Eric O'Neill (Ryan Phillippe), a young agent-in-training, is promoted out of his low-level surveillance job and into the headquarters of the FBI, his dream of becoming a full-fledged agent is on the verge of becoming a reality.
Even more impressive, O'Neill is selected to work for renowned operative Robert Hanssen (Chris Cooper) within "information assurance," a new division created to protect all classified FBI intelligence. His enthusiasm, however, quickly turns to anxiety as O'Neill is confronted with the true reason behind his unexpected promotion. Hanssen is the sole subject of a long-term, top-secret investigation; he is a suspected mole who has become extremely dangerous by the sheer global import of the information he is protecting.
The Bureau asks O'Neill to use Hanssen's growing trust of the apprentice to slowly draw the traitor out of deep cover. Now engaged in a lethal game of spy-versus-spy, O'Neill finds himself fighting to bring down Hanssen before the treacherous double agent can destroy him, his family and the nation they are both sworn to serve.
Special Agent Matti
It's a terrible thing when life starts imitating film but, apparently, after reaching the age of 40 all spies go bad.
Because Breach is based on real life it's not as interesting as, say, The Bourne identity - in which Chris Cooper plays a spy over the age of 40 who goes bad - but it's ok as a film that's based on real life. And it makes a nice change to see the US intelligence community actually do their job right.
The spy, true movie Breach is directed by Billy Ray and stars Chris Cooper, Laura Linney, Ryan Phillippe.
M (Infrequent moderate coarse language)
110 minutes (1:50 hours)
Film: 10 May 2007
